Newsletter - Week 10 Term 3
Greenmeadows School 1st October 2021
Principal's Message
Kia ora e te whānau,
Well here we are ... at the end of one of the more unusual terms of school we have ever had.
And I can sense that so many people are ready for a break.
When you consider that in the past few weeks we have had:
* the start of daylight saving (normally in the holidays),
* weeks of lockdown,
* some real changes in routines,
* a number of long standing events cancelled
* some classes moving rooms
* and ongoing construction around school ... that is plenty going on.
And we have it bad - I have a lot of sympathy for schools in the Auckland region who have had far more disruption than we have endured. I have a number of friends, including my brother who is a Principal, who work in Auckland schools and it is currently very challenging for them all.
So I hope that all children, staff and community families have the opportunity to take some type of break over the next two weeks.
Stay safe everyone.
Mark Johnson
WELCOME TO GMS!
Orson Hutchings
Maddison Leathard
Vaela Meehan
Arlo Vaughan
Cohen Vaughan
Nau mai, haere mai!
RELOCATION OF OFFICE, CANTEEN & LIBRARY
As the Level 2 limits access for parents to the school, many of you may not realise what has happened this past ten days around school.
The entire office and administration area, right through to, and including, the hall has been completely cleared out. This part of the main school block is due for demolition in the next few weeks.
Our new classroom block was opened on Monday with a karakia led by Chad Tareha from our local hapu Ngāti Pārau. Many thanks to Chad for being available for this. The two classes from the Hall have moved into the eastern end of this block.
The administration facilities, along with a smaller library space, have been relocated to the space closest to OSCAR. They will remain there until well into Term 4 2022.
When school returns for Term 4 on 18 October the main school gate will be blocked off. The entrance to school from Osier Road will be gate by the dental clinic. We will still have the patrolled crossing in place it is in by the St/ Mary's Church carpark.
This will bring the need for extra vigilance to stay safe - we urge everyone to use our school crossing. When children see adults crossing over the road between cars they can copy this behaviour ... and often when motorists are not expecting to see pedestrians.
Please help us keep everyone injury free.
FAREWELL TO PADDY MELLON & REBECCA START
Rebecca has had a longstanding link to Greenmeadows School. She attended GMS as a child a few years back, and then returned for a year long placement as a training teacher in the EIT Primary Teaching programme in 2014. In 2017 Rebecca started teaching in a full time position and continued in that role until taking maternity leave at the start of this year. She has taught very successfully in both the senior and junior school and shown immense dedication to anything she does. Combined with wonderful contributions by coaching sports teams and performing arts, Rebecca will have left a lasting impression on many children from her time here.
We wish Rebecca, Mike and their delightful son Fox all the very best for what lies ahead. I am sure she won't be a stranger to Greenmeadows School.
Mr Mellon started as the caretaker of our school at the beginning of 2010. He immediately made his presence known with his willingness to help and assist in any way throughout the school. And that has not stopped to this day. He is loved by the children and the staff for his kind, friendly nature at all times, as well as being able to do just about anything!
Paddy has been thoroughly visible to the wider community as well. So many people throughout Napier recognise Mr Mellon from the thousands of days he has spent on the Gloucester Street road patrol in all weather conditions, ensuring our students can cross safely. He has also been a great assistance to so many PTA functions and events over the years. And just as importantly, Paddy has a wide range of skills and the ability to fix so many things, or know someone who can.
After everything he has given us at GMS, we wish him a relaxing and rewarding retirement. His goal is that he can get to spend more time with his wife Sarah and his family as his time becomes more freely available. All the very best Paddy!
GMS CROSS-COUNTRY Thursday 21 October
This will take the place of evacuation practise hikoi we have had these past few years on the day before Hawkes Bay anniversary day. If we are at Level 2 this will be on our school field. We have races at set times so parents will be able to plan their afternoon if they want to watch.
So this is an opportunity to get some training in over the holiday break and be as prepared as possible.
More details on the first day back on Monday 18 October.
Bye Bye Sandpit ...
We are constructing a smaller temporary one in the junior playground area, but want to create another permanent sand pit before too long.
And Haere Rā Heart of the School
So long the scene of so many:
* assemblies,
* games of never end tag
* hockey practises,
* morning tea meetings
* and countless cultural practises.
Sad indeed - but the count down is on: by November 2022 that area will house a brand new hall!!!!
2022 TERM DATES
Term 1 - Starts Wednesday 2 February to Thursday 14 April
Term 2 - Monday 2 May to Friday 8 July
Term 3 - Monday 25 July to Friday 30 September
Term 4 - Monday 17 October to Friday 16 December
Upcoming Events - Term 4
- Week 1 - Monday 18 October First day of Term 4
- Week 1 - Thursday 21 October Greenmeadows School Cross-country
- Week 1 - Friday 22 October Hawkes' Bay Anniversary Day (school closed)
- Week 2 - Monday 25 October Labour Day (school closed)
Contact Us
Email: admin@gms.school.nz
Website: http://www.gms.school.nz/
Location: Greenmeadows School 45 Osier Road, Greenmeadows, Napier, New Zealand
Phone: +64 06-844 7024
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gmsnapier